Difference Between VAT And CST

Under the CST Act, the tax is collected at one stage of purchase or sale of goods. Therefore, the burden of the full tax bond is borne by only one dealer, either the first or the last dealer. However, under the VAT system, the tax burden would be shared by all the dealers from first to last. Then, such tax would be passed upon the final consumers.

Under the CST Act, the tax is levied at a single point. Under the VAT system, the retailers are not subject to tax except for the retail tax.

Under the CST Act, general and specific exemptions are granted on certain goods while VAT does not permit such exemptions. Under the CST law, concessional rates are provided on certain taxes. The VAT regime will do away with such concessions as it would provide the full credit on the tax that has been paid earlier.

Under VAT law, first, the dealer pays tax on the sale or purchase of goods. The subsequent dealer pays tax on the portion of the value added upon such goods. Thus, the tax burden is shared equally by the last dealer. To illustrate the whole procedure of VAT, we give you an example as follows:

At the first point of sale, the value of goods is Rs.100. The tax on this is 12.5%. Therefore, the net VAT would be 12.5%. At the second change of sale, the sale value is Rs.120 and the tax thereon is 15%. The tax that is to be paid at every point is 15%. The input tax is 15%. You will get a credit for first change in sale of 2.5%-- i.e. 15% -12.5%. Therefore, 2.5% will be the net rate. At the third change of sale, the sale value is Rs.150 and the tax on this is 18.75%. At the last stage, the tax paid is 18.75%. The Input Tax is 18.75%. You get a credit for second change in sale?i.e. 18.75% -15% = 3.75%. Therefore, 3.75% would be the net VAT. This means that VAT is paid in the last point tax under the sale tax regime.